Oral traditions

Category explanation

Spoken expression passed down through generations, including oral history, tales, incantations, pantun, and folktales.

Legal framework reference ↗

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

Cultural works and practices

These examples help explain the category; they do not limit what cultural forms may be recorded.

Malay communities in Indonesia, including the Gazal community of Pulau Penyengat in the Riau Islands.

Pantun

Pantun is recited or sung in rhyming verses at customary occasions; the law’s explanatory text also explicitly gives pantun as an example of oral tradition. It is shared across communities and countries, not exclusive to Indonesia.

Reference source 1 ↗

Simeulue community, Simeulue Regency, Aceh.

Nandong

Aceh’s cultural authority classifies Nandong as oral tradition: pantun verses are sung in exchange with kedang drum accompaniment.

Reference source 1 ↗